The Prince convened an emergency council following his private audience with His Majesty. After weighing the risks, they had reached a tentative conclusion: the pact might not be a losing hand, provided Liam’s claims held a grain of truth. One by one, the invited members began to filter into the hall.

  James was the first to arrive. A formidable duelist, he bore the prestigious title of 'Master of the Blade'—a testament to his unparalleled swordsmanship and his uncanny ability to dismantle any opponent with surgical ease over the years. James possessed a rugged, masculine presence, with raven-black hair and piercing brown eyes that complemented his sun-darkened skin. He was, in every sense of the word, a man of unshakable character.

  Then came Yasmine and Alice. Alice, the youngest among them, was still an initiate training under Lady Yasmine’s mentorship. She possessed a delicate, gentle aura, with golden blonde hair and a faint dusting of freckles that paired beautifully with her warm brown eyes.

  Finally, Max made his appearance. Though he held no grand title or vital rank, Nicholas had brought him into the fold for his amiable nature. Max served as the group’s emotional anchor, a friendly soul who could lighten the heaviest of burdens with a well-timed word. He stood in stark contrast to the others—his skin was pale, and his hair was an obsidian sheen that seemed to swallow the light, much like his deep, pitch-black eyes.

  The Prince scanned the room, his brow arching as he realized Nicholas was still missing. "Is there an explanation for Nicholas’s absence?" he inquired calmly. Every eye turned toward Yasmine, his sister and most frequent shadow. "Was he not with that youth?" Yasmine looked to Jenny, who nodded as the memory surfaced. "Indeed. He was tending to Nick’s wounds; they should be here at any moment."

  James narrowed his eyes, casting a skeptical glance her way. "Do you truly believe that madman is capable of 'healing' anyone?" James didn't trust Liam a bit, wondering why Jenny—of all people—seemed so indifferent. Jenny merely shrugged, unsure herself why she felt this way despite knowing Liam was the architect of Nicholas's agony.

  Max, who had been away visiting his grandfather and only returned to the palace yesterday, leaned toward Alice. "Who are they talking about?" he whispered. Alice leaned in, "Liam... the one who ambushed us on our way back to the Kingdom." Max nodded, finally catching the thread of the conversation.

  Suddenly, the heavy doors swung wide. Liam stood at the threshold but did not enter immediately. "Is that him?" Max asked, and Alice gave a tense nod, anticipating the fallout.

  "Well?" The Prince crossed his arms, his gaze trailing Liam, who suddenly broke into a grin. Liam reached behind the door, grabbing hold of someone. "Come now, Nicky! I’m certain they’ll adore it~" He was dragging Nicholas into the room, and once he finally succeeded, he let out a mock sigh. "Forgive the delay, Your Highness." His tone was unnervingly playful, capturing everyone's attention.

  The Prince’s eyes widened, his head tilting in surprise. "Did you finally cut your hair?" Liam laughed, glancing at the Prince. "Isn't it true, Your Highness? He looks quite dashing this way." Max, unable to contain his relief, blurted out, "Man, you’re a legend! We were all suffering under the curse of Nick's long hair." Nicholas’s scowl deepened when he saw even Yasmine nodding in agreement.

  "Are you joking? You too?" Nicholas remarked in frustration. Yasmine shrugged, "I may loathe the boy, but what he’s done here is worthy of praise." Jenny chimed in, "Yes, yes! Finally, we can see your face instead of a curtain of hair."

  Nicholas looked to James, hoping for a lone ally in his indignation, but James simply shrugged and raised his hands in surrender. "Leave me out of this; I don’t care." Nevertheless, James felt a secret pang of gratitude toward Liam.

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  "I am truly impressed," the Prince said with a subtle, amused smile. After all, he was the one who complained most about that hair, claiming it didn't suit Nicholas and made him look too much like Yasmine's twin.

  "Does this man ever do anything without using force?" Nicholas muttered, pulling out his chair. Liam took the seat beside him, looking quite proud of the 'achievement' he was about to boast about.

  ____________________________________

  After Liam finished tending to Nicholas’s wounds and they had exchanged words regarding Liam's true motives, Nicholas stood and approached the mirror to inspect the results. He brushed his hair away from the nape of his neck; the swelling had vanished completely. "What was the cause of that inflammation?" he asked, ignorant of its source. Liam answered with blunt honesty, "That was thanks to your friend, who saw fit to strike me from behind while I was merely there to offer my greetings." Nicholas narrowed his eyes at the revelation.

  Studying his reflection, Nicholas noticed that the only mark remaining was the bite on his neck, a sight that stirred a sense of lingering resentment within him. "Why hasn't this vanished like the rest?" he asked, gesturing toward it. Liam stood and moved behind him, his presence looming in the glass. "Because that is the seal of the spiritual bond between us. As long as we are tethered, that mark shall remain."

  Nicholas crossed his arms, his expression tightening with irritation. "Do you not possess one as well?" he countered. If they shared such a bond, it stood to reason that Liam bore a mark of his own. "I do," Liam replied simply, revealing his left hand. There, etched into his skin, was indeed the faint trace of a bite, though it was far less prominent than the one Nicholas carried.

  A knock at the door broke the tension. Nicholas turned and granted the guard permission to enter. The soldier stepped in quietly, delivering the news of the emergency council. "My thanks for the information," Nicholas replied coldly, oblivious to the way Liam’s gaze had drifted toward a pair of shears on the vanity. Once the guard took his leave, Liam spoke up in that grating, playful lilt. "Nicky~"

  Nicholas’s brow furrowed in immediate annoyance. He had learned one thing during his time with this arrogant stranger: whenever Liam used that tone, something troublesome was about to unfold. "What now?" he snapped, catching the way Liam eyed the shelf behind him. "Why not change your look? You bear too much of a resemblance to your sister with that long hair," Liam remarked, snatching the shears from the shelf with unnerving ease. A flash of apprehension crossed Nicholas’s face. "That is none of your concern! Stay back!"

  He attempted to evade Liam and bolt for the door, but the other was too quick, cornering him in an instant. "This is becoming tedious," Liam murmured, his crooked smirk returning as he forced Nicholas into a chair, prepared to sever the caramel locks he held so dear.

  ____________________________________

  Max was visibly impressed by Liam’s audacity after hearing the tale. "Max! Do not encourage this brat to rebel against me!" Nicholas snapped, scowling and crossing his arms, which only earned a lighthearted laugh from Jenny.

  Nicholas rolled his eyes and looked toward the Prince, who seemed rather proud of the recent "achievement." Ignoring the atmosphere, Nicholas spoke up, "So? What is it you wish to say, Your Highness?" The Prince’s expression sharpened, returning to his usual gravity. "I have conferred with His Majesty," he began. "Given that he could be of immense benefit to us, we shall execute this mission to the fullest."

  Nicholas grimaced as the rest of the group maintained a neutral silence. The thought of being tethered to this "demon" was the last thing he desired. Liam offered a smirk, but it faltered slightly as the Prince continued, "However... there are certain conditions."

  Liam tilted his head. "And what might those be?" The Prince stood tall, his presence commanding and unyielding. "First, once you recover the pendant you seek, you must sever this bond between you." He gestured toward Nicholas and Liam before proceeding. "Second, should any conflict arise with the Kingdom of the Golden Chrysanthemum, you are obligated to stand by our side." Liam cut him off with a scoff. "Did I not tell you I would destroy them? Why on earth would I side with them?"

  The Prince paused as if weighing the words, then gave a firm nod. "I suppose that is fair. And the third condition: you must fulfill your vow to bring about the downfall of our enemy, the Golden Chrysanthemum."

  Despite the lingering animosity and the collective distrust the group harbored toward Liam, they couldn't help but notice the glimmer of hope in the Prince’s eyes—as if this stranger were the miracle destined to save them. Because of that, they were willing to grant him this one chance.

  Nicholas watched Liam’s reaction closely, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise at the response. "Do not fret, Your Highness. I promise you this above all else," Liam stated. The Prince smiled, stepping closer to the group. "Very well. You will follow the path Liam dictates; beyond that, you are under the absolute command of Nicholas."

  The Prince handed a map to Nicholas before concluding, "Make your way to the Capital, secure your supplies as you see fit, and then proceed with the mission." Nicholas stood and bowed with practiced respect. "By your command, Your Highness." He straightened his posture and muttered as he turned to leave, "This will undoubtedly be a grueling journey." Liam, of course, was right on his heels.

  Nicholas sighed, glancing back at him. "Do you not have anything better to do?" Liam merely shrugged. "No." Then, with a playful grin, he added, "I shall accompany you wherever you go~"